According to reports, Conference USA officials reviewed an outburst by UTEP coach Tim Floyd that got him tossed out of his team's loss at East Carolina, including being escorted off the court by a police officer.  Floyd was reprimanded by CUSA Commissioner Britton Banowsky, calling it "unacceptable" that Floyd did not immediately leave the floor.

The Miners (20-8, 8-5 C-USA) were whistled for 27 fouls and five technicals in the 83-76 loss Wednesday night to East Carolina at noisy Minges Coliseum in Greenville, N.C. The Pirates (14-13, 6-7) went 35-for-45 from the free-throw line.

Floyd and assistant coach Phil Johnson both received two technicals and were ejected with 18:48 left in the game. Floyd said he wasn't sure why he got the first one, and he marched onto the court to yell at the official who gave it to him.

"I was given a warning for having my foot out of the coaching box," Floyd said after the game. "I haven't got a technical all year long, so I went back to the bench. Next thing I know, I have a technical and I didn't know why I got it.

"I was not upset with the officials at that point," he said. "I was coaching my team after the first one."

Floyd continued to yell at the officials before an officer stationed at courtside intervened and escorted him to the locker room.

"It has been my experience this year that I've had a lot of men come over to me and say, 'Coach, you need to get back in the box and let us work,' " Floyd said. "I tend to do that. I guess I probably reacted to that first technical, not really understanding why it was given. I probably earned the second one, but that's part of the game."

Statement from Conference USA Commissioner Britton Banowsky “I have spoken with (UTEP Athletics Director) Bob Stull and (UTEP Head Coach) Tim Floyd about the ejections in last night’s game. When a coach is ejected, I expect them to leave the floor. Coach Floyd’s actions were unacceptable. I have made our expectations clear going forward and do not expect this to happen again.”

UTEP Director of Athletics Bob Stull
"Based on previous games this year, Tim’s actions in the East Carolina game were uncharacteristic. Coach Floyd generally enjoys a good relationship with the officials and has known many of them for years. Obviously there was a heated dispute between Coach Floyd and an official resulting in his ejection. When a coach is ejected he is expected to immediately leave the court on his own. I have discussed the situation with Coach Floyd and Commissioner Banowsky at length and we are moving on."

UTEP will take on Memphis on Saturday at 1 p.m. in the Haskins Center, then host Marshall on Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. on Senior Night.